Stacey Abrams in 2019 State of the Union address

Stacey Abrams, former candidate for Georgia governor, in the Democratic response to Trump's speech, said: "The Republican tax bill rigged the system against working people. Rather than bringing back jobs, plants are closing,
layoffs are looming and wages struggle to keep pace with the actual cost of living.

THE FACTS:
The economy is doing better after the introduction of the Trump administration's tax cuts than Abrams suggests.
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits, a proxy for layoffs, briefly fell to a five-decade low last month. And average hourly pay is running ahead of inflation.

Source: A.P. Fact-Check on 2019 State of the Union address
Feb 6, 2019

On Abortion:
Roe v. Wade achieved a measure of reproductive justice

With each generation, we have revisited our fundamental truths, and where we falter, we make amends. America achieved a measure of reproductive justice in Roe v. Wade, but we must never forget it is immoral to allow politicians to harm women
and families to advance a political agenda. We affirmed marriage equality, and yet, the LGBTQ community remains under attack.

Our progress has always found refuge in the basic instinct of the American experiment--to do right by our people.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Civil Rights:
Call racism what it is: wrong

America has stumbled time and again on its quest towards justice and equality; but with each generation, we have revisited our fundamental truths, and where we falter, we make amends.

We fought Jim Crow with the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights
Act, yet we continue to confront racism from our past and in our present--which is why we must hold everyone from the very highest offices to our own families accountable for racist words and deeds--and call racism what it is. Wrong.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Corporations:
Republican tax bill rigged the system against working class

Around the country, people are striving for a middle class where a salary truly equals economic security. But instead, families' hopes are being crushed by Republican leadership that ignores real life or just doesn't understand it. Under the current
administration, far too many hard-working Americans are falling behind, living paycheck to paycheck, most without labor unions to protect them from even worse harm.

The Republican tax bill rigged the system against working people.
Rather than bringing back jobs, plants are closing, layoffs are looming and wages struggle to keep pace with the actual cost of living.

We owe more to the millions of everyday folks who keep our economy running: like truck drivers forced to buy
their own rigs, farmers caught in a trade war, small business owners in search of capital, and domestic workers serving without labor protections. Women and men who could thrive if only they had the support and freedom to do so.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Education:
Invest what is necessary for education from cradle to career

Our most urgent work is to realize Americans' dreams of today and tomorrow. To carve a path to independence and prosperity that can last a lifetime. Children deserve an excellent education from cradle to career.
We owe them safe schools and the highest standards, regardless of zip code.

Yet this White House responds timidly while first graders practice active shooter drills and the price of higher education grows ever steeper.
From now on, our leaders must be willing to tackle gun safety measures and the crippling effect of educational loans;
to support educators and invest what is necessary to unleash the power of America's greatest minds.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

Growing up, my family went back and forth between lower middle class and working poor. Yet, even when they came home weary and bone-tired, my parents found a way to show us all who we could be. My librarian mother taught us to love learning.
My father, a shipyard worker, put in overtime and extra shifts; and they made sure we volunteered to help others. Later, they both became United Methodist ministers, an expression of the faith that guides us.

These were our family values--faith, service, education and responsibility.

Our power and strength as Americans lives in our hard work and our belief in more. My family understood firsthand that while success is not guaranteed,
we live in a nation where opportunity is possible. But we do not succeed alone--in these United States, when times are tough, we can persevere because our friends and neighbors will come for us.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Government Reform:
Fair Fight: Bedrock guarantee of right to vote

None of our ambitions are possible without the bedrock guarantee of our right to vote. Let's be clear: voter suppression is real. From making it harder to register and stay on the rolls to moving and closing polling places to rejecting lawful ballots,
we can no longer ignore these threats to democracy.

While I acknowledged the results of the 2018 election here in Georgia--I did not and we cannot accept efforts to undermine our right to vote. That's why I started a nonpartisan organization called
Fair Fight to advocate for voting rights.

This is the next battle for our democracy, one where all eligible citizens can have their say about the vision we want for our country. We must reject the cynicism that says allowing every eligible vote to be
cast and counted is a "power grab." The foundation of our moral leadership around the globe is free and fair elections, where voters pick their leaders--not where politicians pick their voters.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Government Reform:
Federal shutdowns are a stunt: furloughs hurt workers

Just a few weeks ago, I joined volunteers to distribute meals to furloughed federal workers. They waited in line for a box of food and a sliver of hope since they hadn't received a paycheck in weeks. Making their livelihoods a pawn for political
games is a disgrace. The shutdown was a stunt engineered by the President of the United States, one that defied every tenet of fairness and abandoned not just our people--but our values.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Health Care:
Protect progress of ObamaCare, instead of lawsuits

Rather than suing to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, as Republican Attorneys General have, our leaders must protect the progress we've made and commit to expanding health care and lowering costs for everyone.

My father has battled prostate cancer for years. To help cover the costs, I found myself sinking deeper into debt--because while you can defer some payments, you can't defer cancer treatment. In this great nation,
Americans are skipping blood pressure pills, forced to choose between buying medicine or paying rent. Maternal mortality rates show that mothers, especially black mothers, risk death to give birth.
And in 14 states, including my home state where a majority want it, our leaders refuse to expand Medicaid, which could save rural hospitals, economies, and lives.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019

On Immigration:
21st-century Immigration plan, not walls nor open borders

Bipartisanship could craft a 21st century immigration plan, but this administration chooses to cage children and tear families apart. Compassionate treatment at the border is not the same as open borders. Pres. Reagan understood this. Pres. Obama
understood this. Americans understand this. And Democrats stand ready to effectively secure our borders. But we must all embrace that from agriculture to healthcare to entrepreneurship, America is made stronger by the presence of immigrants--not walls.

Source: Democratic response to 2019 State of the Union speech
Feb 5, 2019